October 12

Sunday, Remi, me and my guest, Harold Brock of Alma hiked at Forest Hill Nature Area. The early afternoon weather was mostly sunny with a temperature of 55 degrees and a steady south wind. Under a clear blue sky, I headed west down the hill, past Mallard Marsh and into Bobolink Meadow where the yellow blanket of Goldenrod from a few weeks ago had been replaced by the beige and browns of fall. The entrance to North Woods was surrounded by colorful Silver Maple leaves. On the path through the woods, I noticed the afternoon sun had penetrated the ever-thinning canopy while on the ground a decaying Beech log was covered with fresh mushrooms. I exited the woods, turned west and circled Succession Field where my feet made a crunching sound as I stepped on remnants of the large Red Oaks nearby. Entering South Woods and hiking along the edge of Swanson Swamp, I was pleased to see the new boardwalk that had been completed yesterday by a group of scouts from Breckenridge. After leaving the wood and turning east, I paused at Artist Overlook where I could easily spot patches of maroon-colored Dogwood bushes against the fading colors of the field. Following south trail, I turned south at Frog Fen, passed Brady Cemetery and turned north into Native Grassland where the pleasing sight of colorful summer wildflowers was now only a memory. At Grebe Pond, I stopped to enjoy the sights and sounds of this beautiful autumn day. Approaching the barn, the brief sighting of a Monarch on an Aster blossom reminded me how once again this year I had seen very few adults and no caterpillars. Finally, we continued north past the barn to the cars, exchanged farewells and left for home.

An aura of autumn

Before snows come

From sunny glades

Colors and shades

Of scarlet and gold

Trees, young & old

Where frost of fall

Envelops it all

In crystalline white

From a longer night

Mother Nature’s glow

Her October show

D. DeGraaf

October 6

Monday, Remi & I traveled north to Mt. Pleasant where we hiked in the scenic, 60-acre, Mission Creek-Woodland Park. The early morning weather was partly sunny with a temperature of 46 degrees and a light wind from all directions as it bounced around us in the sheltering forest. I headed north on the Creek Trail through a dense stand of Beech, Maple, Oak and Hickory where I also noticed several Witch Hazel trees in the understory including some with yellowing leaves and others beginning to flower. After descending a steep bank, I paused to take in the tranquil beauty of Mission Creek. This 2-mile long, narrow stream runs west to east where it empties into the Chippewa River at the Mt. Pleasant Country Club. I headed west along the creek where the trail passed through a grove of Canadian Hemlock and Eastern White Cedar. Close to the edge, it was easy to spot some bright red, toxic fruit of Woody Nightshade still hanging on. A short distance ahead, I glanced up at a sure sign of the season as some unknown deciduous trees had dropped their leaves to open up the canopy and reveal a partially blue sky. I turned around, climbed back up the bank and followed the upper trail where the leaf litter revealed an unusually large number of acorns as well as colorful leaves of Bigtooth Aspen, Red Maple and White Pine. I crossed the creek again where I was startled by a Great Blue Heron that took off from a nearby fishing spot. As the trail curved back to the south, more red colors of autumn including Sumac leaves and ripe apples caught my eye. Finally, after finding the car and admiring the surrounding fall foliage one more time, we were homeward bound.

Below the canopy

On leaf-colored ground

Over lying logs

Gray squirrels bound

In barren branches

Chickadees perch

Ants climb up trunks

Raccoons still search

Preparing for winter

Is now the cause

Tis the season

For nature to pause

D. DeGraaf

September 30

Tuesday, Remi & I returned to Forest Hill Nature Area where I planned to take my annual saunter around the top of Reflection Hill and pause as I face different directions to take in nature’s sights & sounds. The early afternoon weather was overcast with a temperature of 55 degrees and a chilly breeze from the northwest. Arriving at the top of the hill, I first noticed a Honeysuckle bush with several Honeysuckle Witches Broom Galls that had turned pale purple. Looking north, I was not surprised that the dense cattail growth surrounding Mallard Marsh made it impossible to see the water surface and the trees of North Woods were showing some color change. Following the trail counterclockwise, I noticed that most Goldenrod flowers had gone to seed while a few Milkweed leaves were turning yellow and dropping off. Further along, the bird box that the cub scouts put up last spring was empty as the Tree Swallows who nested there had left and were gathering for their fall migration. Nearby, I saw that a Velvetleaf plant had dropped all of its leaves and only the dried up fruit capsules remained. Following the trail as it turned south, I could hear all around me the constant, low background noise of grasshoppers and crickets while in the distance I could see the tall White Pine trees of Brady Cemetery sticking up behind the Willow thicket of Frog Fen. Just off the trail I spotted another sign of the season as a Goldenrod stem gall had turned from green to red. Turning back toward the north, I hopped on top of a bench and did a 360-degree scan of the surrounding landscape including Grebe Pond where over the past week I had been watching with amazement a resident Great Blue Heron share a fishing spot with a transient Great Egret. After doing some research on this behavior, I discovered it’s not that unusual in other parts of the country. Continuing north, I could barely make out dozens of tiny, black Ground Crickets hopping through the grass along the edge of the trail. After completing the loop, I descended the hill back toward the classroom where I observed my first Spotted Tussocks Moth caterpillar of the season on a willow leaf. Finally, we made it to the car and left for home.

As September ceases

The heron still wades

Colder winds blow

Goldenrod fades

Whining Cicadas

Crawling Wooly Bear

Turtles are gone

Logs are now bare

Tree Swallows gather

South they will go

Cattails explode

Nature’s autumn show

D. DeGraaf

September 23

Tuesday, Remi & I traveled 12 miles north to Isabella County so we could hike in Meridian Park. The early afternoon weather was sunny with a temperature of 68 degrees and no wind. Before starting out, I paused to face the sun and celebrate its crossing of the celestial equator as well as the commencing of autumn. I followed a mowed trail south where I immediately noticed a sign of the season as pods of a Milkweed plant had dried out and opened to expose the silky seeds. After passing a small pond, I proceeded along the edge of a dirt road where I came upon a plant I had never seen before called Viper’s bugloss. Its name derives from folklore as an “expellent” of poisons and venom, and to cure the bites of a viper. Specifically, its seeds were thought to resemble snakeheads, thus specifying it as a cure for the bites of serpents. I came to the edge of the fast-flowing Chippewa River where I paused to listen to the chirping crickets. Hiking close to the river’s edge on a little-used path through thick vegetation, several sticky fruit from the Bur Cucumber stuck to Remi’s thick hair. Also, he got wet and muddy as he enjoyed a swim in the river. After turning around and retracing my steps toward the car, I came across another plant I had not seen before called Closed Gentian. Its name derives from the fact that its petals never open. Looking like large blue buds, these flowers produce a rich source of pollen and nectar. However, most insect pollinators are not able to access it. Only large bumblebees are strong enough to force the petals open and crawl inside. This is an example of a mutualism-- the bees benefit by having exclusive access to a bountiful nectar supply, and the plants benefit by attracting "loyal" pollinators that improve the chances for cross pollination. Nearing the end of my hike, I stopped to observe and feel the 5 inch-long, stiff needles from a tall Austrian Pine tree. Finally, we made it back to the car and headed home to Alma.

I welcome these days

When the Egret flies thru

Creeper leaves glow red

Their berries shine blue

I welcome the sun

On its annual descent

Geese are gathering

The meadow is spent

I welcome the morning

Frosty and clear

Greetings autumn!

Glad you’re here

D. DeGraaf

September 16

Tuesday, after traveling 13 miles due west of Alma into Montcalm County, Remi & I hiked on fellow nature guide, Ron Patton’s 102-acre property next to Marl Lake. The early morning weather included a bright sun burning off patchy fog, a temperature of 43 degrees and no wind. Started down a wide path into a wooded area, I soon came to a small pond whose smooth surface reflected a stand of large spruce and pine trees on the far shore. On the ground were a few blue blossoms of Beardstongue. Following the trail, I spotted some colorful blossoms of New York Aster while picking up the familiar call of a Pileated Woodpecker. Walking along the edge of a small stream, I noticed some Nodding Bur Marigold. Next, I saw a few small patches of Maidenhair fern and a large patch of Bracken fern. As the trail curved to the east, I entered a mature forest of tall Maple and Beech just as the sun broke through the canopy. Also, I observed a some yellow Waxy Cap mushrooms growing on the leaf litter. Veering off the trail, I came to the edge of 17-acre Marl Lake where I alarmed a few Canada Geese. After briefly exploring a small stream that fed into the lake, I began retracing my steps and spotted a fresh Coral fungus as well as lots of Beech Drops poking up through the soil. Nearing the end of the hike, I caught a glimpse of a couple of large maples beginning to change colors, a sign of things to come. Finally, we made it back to the car and headed home.

Waning days of summer

Nature’s colors revealed

Purple aster blossoms

Dot the golden field

Maples of the forest edge

Those in between

Still hold their leaves

Still show their green

Rose hips of red

Berries of blue and white

New food for the finch

New season in sight

D. DeGraaf

September 9

Tuesday, Remi and I hiked a section of the Fred Meijer Heartland Trail in Montcalm County west of Vestaburg. The early morning weather was sunny with a temperature of 60 degrees and no wind. We entered the trail where it crosses Berry Rd. and began following it southwest when it became apparent that I was walking through a type of habitat referred to as an Alder thicket. On both sides of the trail, I noticed lots of Tag Alder trees; some had branches with female catkins while others had male catkins. Up ahead, I spotted some white fuzzy stuff on an Alder branch that turned out to be the secretions of Wooly Alder Aphids made to defend themselves from predators. Continuing on the trail, I saw large patches of Ostrich ferns as well as several Swamp Thistle plants. Next, the trail entered the Vestaburg State Game Area where I looked out at extensive, open wetlands. After about a mile on the trail, I turned around and began retracing my steps when, in the vegetation next to the trail I observed what I thought were several tiny dandelion seeds being blown around. Looking more closely, I was surprised to see they were tiny living insects flying around and landing on leaves as if they were miniature Tinkerbelles from the Peter Pan movie. Nearly transparent, these fascinating creatures, called Fairy Flies were amazing to watch but impossible to photograph. Continuing east back toward the car, I noticed some lovely, late-blooming Turtlehead flowers. Finally, we arrived back to the car for our trip home.

Eyes are wide open to see

Glimpses of nature here for me

It maybe a flower, maybe a tree

Maybe a hawk flying free

I look around on land and sea

Beauty surrounds, I do agree

I search again on bended knee

Behold a bug! Behold a bee!

Earth’s treasures, found the key

More of this, I hope it will be

D. DeGraaf

September 4

Thursday, Remi and I returned to Forest Hill Nature Area for our “weekly wanderings” The early morning weather was partly sunny with spotty light rain, a temperature of 61 degrees and no wind. Today, as September opens and autumn approaches, I planned to be observant of wildlife as usual while focusing on fruits that Mother Nature is showing off. I followed north trail down the hill past Mallard Marsh into a Goldenrod-covered Bobolink Meadow where I noticed the white berries on a Gray Dogwood bush. Also, I could see some Milkweed pods were turning pink. At the entrance to North Woods, I turned south toward Willow Wallow where I was excited to spot my first New England Asters of the season. Following the trail, I saw that a few Elderberries were still hanging from the bush. Turning west at Willow Wallow, I could barely make out a Black & Yellow Longhorn Beetle nestled in a Goldenrod flower. Circling Succession Field, I first saw a bunch of Wild Grapes followed by a few remaining berries of Autumn Olive and finally, a few hips from Multiflora Rose. I turned into South Woods and paused at a place on the edge of Swanson Swamp that was recently cleared for an upcoming boardwalk construction project by an Eagle Scout candidate from Breckenridge. Before leaving the woods, the striking red fruit of Jack-in-the-Pulpit caught my eye as well as a well-camouflaged Wood Frog. I left the woods and turned east where I saw the last piece of fruit on a Wild Apple tree. Passing Artist Overlook, I followed south trail where I noticed a few remaining cherries on a Chokecherry tree as well as a baby Gray Tree frog sitting on a Raspberry leaf. At Frog Fen, I turned north toward Reflection Hill where I could see quite a distinction between the white berries of Red-Osier Dogwood and the blue berries of Silky Dogwood. Near the top of the hill, I turned over a Milkweed leaf looking for a Monarch caterpillar and found a Tussock’s Moth Caterpillar instead. From the hilltop, I gazed west over South Woods and marveled at the unexpected sight of a rainbow. Facing east, I looked with concern at Grebe Pond that continues to be overrun by the green invasive weed called Watermeal. Next, I left the path and walked a short distance down the hill to take a closer look at the fruit of a Crab Apple tree. Back on the trail, I approached the classroom where I could see that a large Pin Cherry tree to the west was still loaded with fruit. At the end of the hike, I was pleased to see the freshly painted barn and granary as we prepare for another field trip season. Finally, we got back to the car and headed home.

What bird is that?

As I take a look

What’s it called?

Is it in the book?

Need to get close

To see its features

Is it one that I think?

One of those creatures

Does it really matter?

Should I really care?

A marvel of nature

I continue to stare

D. DeGraaf